וְיַעֲשוּ בְנֵי יִּשְרָאֵל אֶת הַפָסַח בְמוֹעֲדוֹ
The Bnei Yisrael shall perform the Pesach offering in its appointed time (9:2)
An Exceptional Directive
The Korban Pesach is discussed in our Parshas was the only one offered throughout the forty years in the wilderness. Indeed, according to the view of R’ Yishmael,1 there was no general obligation to bring the Korban Pesach until after the Land of Israel was conquered and apportioned – fourteen years after we entered the land. This means that the Pesach offered in the days of Yehoshua immediately upon crossing the Jordan River2 was also an exception to the rule. Commenting on these two exceptional situations, Tosafos3 explain A special Divine directive.” – על פי הדיבור“ that they were The Meshech Chochmah suggests an explanation as to the background to these two exceptional Pesach offerings.
Korban Pesach and Avodah Zarah
One of the primary themes within the Korban Pesach is a repudiation of avodah zarah. Indeed, Chazal4 expound Moshe’s opening words to Bnei Yisrael when instructing them Draw and take for yourselves [from the] – מִּשְכוּ וּקְחוּ לָכֶׁם צֹאן“ – regarding this korban5 “Withdraw your hands from avoah zarah.” – משכו ידיכם מעבודה זרה“ : flock” – as saying Moreover, the events which the korban commemorates, as well as its specific halachos, address this basic theme from numerous aspects:
- Divine Supervision – The Pesach commemorates the smiting of the Egyptian firstborn. This is a refutation of the premise which initially led many to avodah zarah, namely, that Hashem has no interest on the world, but rather, has left it to the supervision of the celestial bodies and spiritual forces.
- By singling out the firstborn among the Egyptians specifically (many of whose status could only be known to Hashem due to the promiscuity which prevailed among the Egyptians), Hashem demonstrated that He is indeed interested in the events and affairs of this world.
- Divine Interaction – The smiting of the firstborn was moreover performed by Hashem directly which further demonstrates that not only is Hashem aware of the goings-on in the world, but is prepared to interact with them personally.
- Value of Human Life – the Torah commands that the korban Pesach should be eaten together in groups. By emphasizing the social aspect of how the korban is to be consumed, the Torah is reinforcing an awareness of the value of human life in Hashem’s eyes. This is a repudiation of the pagan belief that Hashem desired that humans offer themselves as sacrifices.6
- Importance of the Individual – Each and every member of Bnei Yisrael is worthy and deserving of a direct connection with Hashem, with no need for an intermediary. This is expressed in the halachos of the korban, specifically by something that is missing. The Pesach belongs to the category of korban Shelamim, which generally requires that the owner of the korban give the breast and right foreleg) – חזה ושוק certain portions therefrom (known as to the Kohen. With the Pesach there is no such requirement, thereby de-emphasizing any essential difference in status between the kohanim and the rest of the Jewish people.
- No Subservience Other than to Hashem – The Pesach commemorates our Exodus from Egypt, whereby our subservience to anyone other than Hashem was removed, allowing us to become “His servants”7 alone. This indicates that ultimately, no man is meant to be under the dominion of any force other than Hashem. This includes the dominion of other human beings, spiritual forces or forces of nature. Rather, all of these are themselves under the dominion of Hashem. Indeed, it is for this reason the festival of Pesach is timed specifically to occur during springtime,8 where the forces of nature – having lain dormant during the winter months – awaken to resume their function with full potency. It is specifically at this time we need the korban Pesach to remind us that Hashem alone controls and guides all forces – including the forces of nature.
